Kidnapped (1995)

Francis Ford Coppola executive produced this mini series adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic adventure novel about a boy who's kidnapped and sold into slavery while searching for his rightful inheritance. From the family-oriented "Timeless Adventures" series.System Requirements:Run Time: 180 minsFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: ACTION/ADVENTURE Rating: NR UPC: 084296407057 Manufacturer No: 40705 Product Description

Action packed family fun

This is a superbly acted and beautifully directed movie with a little something for everyone. If you have boys from 12 and up they will absolutely love this movie. It's also great viewing for adults because of its excellent story line. You won't be disappointed with this one! March 27, 2008

Very Drawn Out

This movie was an ongoing struggle between attention and yawns. I finally realized I didn't like the movie after it had several times moved to a new scene and I wanted it to end. Perhaps just another case of ruining a movie by reading the book first. September 26, 2007

Not bad, but not Stevenson

"Kidnapped" by Robert Louis Stevenson is my favorite book of all time. I began reading it when I was a young lad and have probably read it hundreds of times since. I know most of the dialog by heart.

Needless to say, I have been consistently disappointed by the film versions, which deviate needlessly from the story. The only version that respects its source material is the Disney version, which I highly recommend.

The Armand Assante version was made for cable TV and shown over two nights. I missed it and was excited when it came out on VHS. But when I first viewed it, I was terribly disappointed; although it looked great, this version had the same fault as the others--namely, inserting all sorts of extraneous subplots that add nothing to Stevenson's story and actually weaken it.

Recently, however, I re-watched it, and I have to temper my original dislike. This version does have some excellent points in its favor. It's beautifully photographed, and the attention to detail in dress and setting is remarkable. The portions that do respect Stevenson's novel have never been done better, perhaps not even by the Disney version. However, its faults remain. Assante and McCardie are miscast physically as Alan Breck and David Balfour (although Assante does swashbuckle through the film with a vengeance, he looks nothing like Stevenson's description of him, which was based upon historical fact); the film was shot in Ireland, which does not look like Scotland (watch "Rob Roy" if you want to see what the Scottish Highlands really look like); the writers manufacture a love story for David Balfour, and this character does not fall in love until the Stevenson's sequel "Catriona," and then to a completely different girl; Alan visits Flora MacDonald, who lived on the Isle of Skye, not on the mainland; and worst of all, the writers introduce a completely unnecessary subplot centered around a British officer named Reid, who instigates the Appin murder in order to place blame on James Stewart. I could go on and on--there's plenty more--but you get the idea.

So yes, there's plenty in this version to enjoy, but please be aware--it is *not* Stevenson. For that you need to go to the Disney version. Still, compared to the utter abomination that appeared recently on PBS, this version is a masterpiece. August 4, 2007

Great Version...

I definantly like this version better than the Disney one. It is more realistic. It doesn't follow along with the book totally but is an enjoyable movie. It is long which doesn't bother me! Very good movie for the family. July 14, 2007

Totally good influence!

What an amazing movie! My favorite character was Mary played by Antoine Byrne! She is the best actress I've ever seen! Mary was very brave, and fell in love with David [Brian McCardie] and Alan Breck Stewart [Armand Assante] was amazing. Catherine Byrne who played Flora was magnificent and I think is younger than Antoine. I don't know, anyway, I'd like to thank the whole cast for making this movie and espicially the Byrne family. Thanks! May 20, 2007

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